Philip Kearny
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2018) |
Philip Kearny Jr. | |
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Nickname(s) | "Kearny the Magnificent" |
Born | New York City, New York, U.S. | June 1, 1815
Died | September 1, 1862† Chantilly, Virginia, U.S. | (aged 47)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America Second French Empire |
Service/ | United States Army French Army |
Years of service | 1837–1851; 1861–1862 (US) 1859–1861 (France) |
Rank | Major General |
Commands held | First New Jersey Brigade |
Battles/wars |
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Signature |
Philip Kearny Jr. (/ˈkɑːrni/; June 1, 1815 – September 1, 1862) was a United States Army officer, notable for his leadership in the Mexican–American War and American Civil War. He served in French Emperor Napoleon III's Imperial Guard at the Battle of Solferino.
The first U.S. citizen to be awarded the French
Early life and career
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Kearny was born in New York City to a wealthy Irish American family. His father and mother were Philip Kearny Sr., and Susan Watts.
Early in life, Kearny desired a career in the military. His parents died when he was young, and he was consequently raised by his grandfather. Against the younger Kearny's wishes, his guardian insisted that Kearny pursue a law career. Kearny attended
In 1836, his grandfather died, leaving Kearny a fortune of over $1 million ($27.7 million in 2023 dollars). He chose to make the army his profession. The following year, Kearny obtained a commission as a second lieutenant of cavalry, assigned to the 1st U.S. Dragoons, who were commanded by his uncle, Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, and whose adjutant general was Jefferson Davis. The regiment was assigned to the western frontier.
Kearny was sent to France in 1839 to study cavalry tactics, first attending school at the famous cavalry school in Saumur. He participated in several combat engagements with the Chasseurs d'Afrique in Algeria. Kearny rode into battle with a sword in his right hand, pistol in his left, and the reins in his teeth, as was the style of the Chasseurs. His fearless character in battle earned him the nickname from his French comrades of Kearny le Magnifique ("Kearny the Magnificent"). He returned to the United States in the fall of 1840 and prepared a cavalry manual for the Army based on his experiences overseas.
Shortly afterward, Kearny was designated aide-de-camp to General Alexander Macomb, and served in this position until Macomb's death in June 1841. After a few months at the cavalry barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Kearny was assigned to the staff of General Winfield Scott, soon becoming his aide-de-camp. He did additional duty on the frontier, accompanying his uncle's unit on an expedition to the South Pass of the Oregon Trail in 1845.
Mexican War
Kearny, disappointed with the lack of fighting he was seeing in the Army, resigned his commission in 1846, but returned to duty a month later at the outbreak of the
Kearny and his men participated in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco; in the latter engagement, Kearny led a daring cavalry charge and suffered a grapeshot wound to his left arm. It later had to be amputated. Kearny's courage earned him the respect of his soldiers and fellow officers alike; General-in-Chief Winfield Scott called him "a perfect soldier" and "the bravest man I ever knew."[3] Kearny quickly returned to duty. When the U.S. Army entered Mexico City the following month, he had the personal distinction of being the first man through the gates of the city.
Kearny was an original member of the Aztec Club of 1847, a military society for Army officers who served in Mexico in 1847. Its membership qualifications were later modified to include all American officers who served during the Mexican War and their male descendants.
Resignation and service in France
After the war, Kearny did a stint with the Army recruiting service in New York City. While there, he was presented with a sword by the Union Club for his service during the war, and was brevetted to major.
In 1851, he was a member of a unit that saw action against the
By 1855, Agnes and Kearny had left New York to escape the disapproval of society. They settled in Kearny's new mansion, Bellegrove, overlooking the Passaic River (in what is now Kearny, New Jersey). It was a short distance and across the river from his family's old manor in Newark, New Jersey. In 1858 his wife finally granted a divorce. Kearny and Maxwell moved to Paris, where they were married.
In 1859, Kearny returned to France, re-joining the Chasseurs d'Afrique, who were at the time fighting against
Civil War
When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Kearny returned to the United States and was appointed a brigadier general, commanding the First New Jersey Brigade, which he trained. The Army had been reluctant to restore his commission due to his disability, but the shocking Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run made them realize the importance of seasoned combat officers. His brigade, even after he left to command a division, performed spectacularly, especially at the Battle of Glendale.
He received command of the 3rd Division of the
I, Philip Kearny, an old soldier, enter my solemn protest against this order for retreat. We ought instead of retreating should follow up the enemy and take Richmond. And in full view of all responsible for such declaration, I say to you all, such an order can only be prompted by cowardice or treason.
Kearny is credited with devising the first
Death
By the end of August 1862, General Kearny led his division at the disastrous
Kearny's body was borne to the rear after the Confederates realized that a general officer had been killed. Confederate soldiers quickly proceeded to strip Kearny's body of his coat, boots, pocket watch, papers, and other items of value. However, after it was realized who the deceased was, Robert E. Lee ordered all of his belongings returned over the objections of poorly clad soldiers who protested that a dead man no longer needed a warm coat and boots. Kearny's papers were given to Lee for examination, but they merely consisted of personal letters to his wife and contained no useful military documents; Lee quickly burned them. General Lee sent his body back to Union forces, with a condolence note.
At the time of Kearny's death, there were rumors in Washington that President Abraham Lincoln was contemplating replacing George B. McClellan with "Kearny the Magnificent".
Kearny was buried at
Legacy and honors
- The town of Kearny Museumcontains a display of furniture from his Belle Grove home, donated by his granddaughter and second wife, as well as other Kearny memorabilia.
- Fort Kearny, near Tenleytown, D.C., was named in his honor. It was part of the ring of defenses protecting the city of Washington, D.C.
- Fort Phil Kearny in Wyoming was named for him; it existed only two years.
- A U.S. Capitol.
- Kearny Memorial Park in Muskegon, MI features a statue of Kearny and a fountain donated in his honor
- A statue of Kearny stands in Military Park, Newark, New Jersey.
- A small monument in Ox Hill Battlefield Park commemorates Kearny's death.
- A bas-relief on the First New Jersey Brigade monument at Gettysburg commemorates Kearny's leadership, although he was killed prior to that battle.
- The General Philip Kearny Public School in Philadelphia was named for him when built in 1921.
- During Liberty Shipthe SS Philip Kearny.
- Kearny County, Kansas, is named for him.[8]
- In 2017, Kearny was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
- Kearny Cross
- Battle of Solferino, decisive Franco-Sardinian victory of Napoleon III, Emperor of the French
Notes
- ^ De Peyster, p. 32.
- ^ De Peyster, p. 31.
- ^ Dupuy, p. 396.
- ^ Warner, p. 259. Eicher, p. 328, claims this was a posthumous promotion, backdated to July, but histories of the Battle of Chantilly refer to him as a major general during the battle.
- ^ Smith, p. 63. None of the secondary sources in this article identify a particular man who shot Kearny. An obituary notice for a CSA Pvt. John McCrimmon of the 49th Georgia claims that he was the shooter.
- ^ "The Late Gen. Kearney.", The New York Times, September 5, 1862. Accessed July 30, 2018. "The funeral of Major-Gen. Philip Kearney will take place at Trinity Church, in this City, on Saturday, Sept. 6, inst., at 3 P.M. He will be interred in his family vault in Trinity Churchyard. His relatives are invited to attend at his residence in East Newark, N.J., at 1 P.M., to accompany the remains to New-York."
- ^ "Burial Detail: Kearny, Philip (Section 2, Grave S-8) Birth Date: 06/02/1815; Death Date: 09/01/1862; Interment Date: 04/12/1912". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
- ^ Hicks, Virginia Pierce (February 1938). "Sketches of Early Days in Kearny County". Kansas Historical Quarterly. VII (1): 54–80. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
References
- De Peyster, John Watts. Personal and Military History of Philip Kearny, Major-General United States Volunteers. Elizabeth, NJ: Palmer & Co., 1869. OCLC 17692924.
- Dupuy, Trevor N., Curt Johnson, and David L. Bongard. ISBN 978-0-06-270015-5.
- Eicher, John H., and ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
- Smith, Derek. The Gallant Dead: Union & Confederate Generals Killed in the Civil War. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2005. ISBN 0-8117-0132-8.
- Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964. ISBN 0-8071-0822-7.
External links
- Index to Philip Kearny's Pages
- "The One Armed Devil"
- Battle of Williamsburg
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911. .
- Civil War Home Biography
- Fort Phil Kearny site #1
- Wyoming State Parks on Fort Phil Kearney
- National Statuary Hall biography
- "Philip Kearny". at ArlingtonCemetery.net. 7 June 2023. (Unofficial website).